Objective This study investigated the regulatory effect of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) on myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and Th17/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance. Methods The study enrolled 30 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 30 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of mDC, Th17, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of ITP patients and healthy controls. ELISA was conducted to quantify the serum levels of HMGB1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-23, IL-17, and transforming growth factor β(TGF-β). The mRNA levels of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) and forehead box P3(FOXP3) were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between the abovementioned cells, cytokines, and platelet count was assessed using Pearson linear correlation analysis. Results The proportion of Th17 cells and the expression levels of HMGB1, IL-6, IL-23, IL-17 and the level of RORγt mRNA in the peripheral blood of ITP patients were higher than those in healthy controls. However, the Treg cell proportion and TGF-β level were lower in ITP patients than those in healthy controls. In patients with ITP, the proportion of mDC and the level of FOXP3 mRNA did not show significant changes. The proportion of mDC cells was significantly correlated with the expression of IL-6 and IL-23. Moreover, the expression of HMGB1 showed a significant correlation with the expression of mDC, IL-6, IL-23, RORγt mRNA, and IL-17. Notably, both the proportion of mDC cells and the expression of HMGB1 were negatively correlated with platelet count. Conclusion The high expression of HMGB1 in peripheral blood of ITP patients may induce Th17/Treg imbalance by promoting the maturation of mDC and affecting the secretion of cytokines, thereby potentially playing a role in the immunological mechanism of ITP.
Humans ; Th17 Cells/cytology* ; HMGB1 Protein/genetics* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology* ; Female ; Male ; Dendritic Cells/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/genetics* ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/genetics* ; Young Adult ; Interleukin-23/blood* ; Interleukin-17/blood* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Myeloid Cells/cytology* ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of various types of diabetes. However, the causal relationship between them has yet to be systematically elucidated. This study aims to explore the potential causal associations between gut microbiota and diabetes using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, based on multiple taxonomic levels. METHODS: Eligible instrumental variables were extracted from the selected genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on gut microbiota. These were combined with GWAS datasets on type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to conduct forward MR analysis, sensitivity analysis, reverse MR analysis, and validation of significant estimates. Microbial taxa with causal effects on T1D, T2D, and GDM were identified based on a comprehensive assessment of all analytical stages. RESULTS: A total of 2 179, 2 176, and 2 166 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were included in the MR analyses for gut microbiota with T1D, T2D, and GDM, respectively. MR results indicated causal associations between: Six microbial taxa (Eggerthella, Lachnospira, Bacillales, Desulfovibrionales, Parasutterella, and Turicibacter) and T1D; 9 microbial taxa (Verrucomicrobia, Deltaproteobacteria, Actinomycetales, Desulfovibrionale, Actinomycetaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Actinomyces, Alcaligenaceae, and Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group) and T2D; 10 microbial taxa (Betaproteobacteria, Coprobacter, Ruminococcus2, Tenericutes, Clostridia, Methanobacteria, Mollicutes, Methanobacteriales, Methanobacteriaceae, and Methanobrevibacter) and GDM. CONCLUSIONS This study identified specific gut microbial taxa that may significantly increase or decrease the risk of developing diabetes. Some findings were fully replicated in independent validation datasets. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of these causal relationships warrant further investigation through mechanistic studies and population-based research.
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics* ; Female ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Diabetes, Gestational/genetics* ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into control group, DSS group and DMQ treatment group. In DSS and DMQ groups, the mice were treated with DSS in drinking water to induce UC, and received intraperitoneal injections of sterile PBS or DMQ (20 mg/kg) during modeling. The changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, and colon histological scores of the mice were examined, and the percentages of Th17 and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), proteins associated with inflammasome activation (caspase-1 and p20), IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissues were detected using Western blotting or ELISA. In the cell experiment, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with DMQ, followed by stmulation with nigericin to activate the classical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with either LPS alone or LPS plus nigericin, the effects of DMQ on inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and cytokine release were evaluated via Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In DSS-treated mice, DMQ treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, spleen enlargement, and colon inflammation. The DMQ-treated mice showed significantly reduced percentages of Th17 cells and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, with increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions and decreased caspase-1 expression in the colon tissue. DMQ obviously inhibited classical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and both the classical and alternative pathways of NLRP3 activation in human PBMCs, causing also suppression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS DMQ ameliorates DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects* ; Male ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Bacteriophages/physiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Bacteria/virology*

As an important strategy in antiviral drug development, nucleoside analogs (NAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their unique mechanisms of action and favorable safety profile. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the mechanisms of action of NAs, focusing on the following four aspects: (1) Targeting viral polymerases, inhibiting viral replication through mechanisms such as non-absolute termination, delayed chain termination and induction of viral RNA mutations in addition to classical chain termination, which has been newly discovered; (2) Regulating RNA methylation modifications—for instance, competitively inhibiting methyltransferases, which significantly reduces viral replication efficiency; (3) Depleting nucleotide pools—by affecting host cell purine nucleotide synthesis pathways, thereby indirectly inhibiting viral replication; and (4) Immunomodulatory functions—including activation of the STING pathway to promote interferon production. Furthermore, this review systematically discusses the breakthrough progress in prodrug technologies for addressing key clinical challenges such as drug resistance and off-target toxicity of NAs. These advances provide crucial technical support for the clinical translation of NAs. These advances provide key technical support for the clinical translation of NAs. This review clarifies the multi-target action rules of NAs and provides a theoretical framework for the design of next-generation broad-spectrum antiviral agents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Ganmai Dazao Tang on breast cancer-related depression and explore the mechanism of the decoction in regulating immune inflammation and neurotransmitters via the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） pathway. MethodBALB/c mice were randomized into control， model， fluoxetine （5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low- and high-dose （crude drug 20 and 40 g·kg^-1， respectively） Ganmai Dazao Tang groups （n=10）. The mouse model of 4T1 orthotopic transplantation-induced breast cancer-related depression-like behavior was established. The depression-like behavior of mice was assessed by the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. RT-qPCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of interleukin （IL）-17A， forkhead box P3 （FoxP3），IL-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the cerebral cortex. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the proportions of immune cell subsets in the spleen and thymus. HPLC-MS/MS was employed to measure neurotransmitter levels in the cerebral cortex. Western blotting was employed to detect the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. ResultCompared with the model group， administration of Ganmai Dazao Tang at a dose of 40 g crude drug·kg^-1 continuously for 4 weeks shortened the immobility time of modeled mice in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests （P<0.05）， down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β， IL-17A， and TNF-α （P<0.05）， increased the proportions of T cells， CD4⁺ T cells， B cells， helper T 17 （Th17） cells， and regulatory T （Treg） cells， and reduced the proportion of CD8⁺ T cells （P<0.05）. Furthermore， it lowered the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid （5-HIAA） and kynurenine （Kyn）， decreased the kynurenine/tryptophan （Kyn/Trp） ratio （P<0.05）， increased the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and down-regulated the protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase （p-ERK）， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 （P<0.05）. ConclusionGanmai Dazao Tang can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β， IL-17A， and TNF-α， restore 5-HT metabolism and Kyn/Trp balance， increase the 5-HT content， and reduce the activation of p38 MAPK， ERK， and the MAPK-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce neuroinflammation in the treatment of cancer-related depression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of health distress on depression and anxiety among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people, and to explore the mediating effect of social capital, so as to provide an evidence for the implementation of appropriate interventions. MethodsA face-to-face self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted on 271 middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people aged 50 years and above in Shanghai from September 2021 to February 2022, including the general information of the subjects, social capital scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and health distress scale. The higher the total scores of the social capital scale, the higher level of social capital. Higher scores on the hospital anxiety and depression scale indicate more severe anxiety and depression, and scores >7 points were used to define an anxiety or depression status. The higher scores of the health distress scale, the worse the health condition of the respondents. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the effects of health distress on depression and anxiety, and the mediating effects were used to test the mediating role of social capital between health distress and depression and anxiety. ResultsThe mean scores of depression, anxiety, social capital and health distress among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people aged 50 years and above were (11.063±5.892), (58.391±15.273) and (6.384±4.787) points, respectively. Health distress scores were positively correlated with social capital scores, health distress was positively correlated with depression and anxiety, while social capital was negatively correlated with depression and anxiety (all P<0.05). Social capital had masking effects on the relationship between health distress, depression and anxiety (all P<0.05), which accounted for 24.11% and 18.93% in the effects of depression and anxiety, respectively. ConclusionThe levels of depression and anxiety are higher among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people aged 50 years and above, and health distress can affect the levels of depression and anxiety through social capital. Health workers should take measures to reduce health distress and improve social capital among the middle-aged and elderly hearing-impaired people, so as to further alleviate the occurrence and development of depression and anxiety.

Objective: To investigate the screening results of adolescent scoliosis in Chuzhou City, Anhui Province, and analyze the influencing factors for scoliosis, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of scoliosis among adolescents. Methods: Students were selected from six primary and middle schools in Chuzhou City using the stratified random cluster sampling method from April to June 2023. Demographic information, daily behaviors and postures, and exercise status were collected through questionnaire surveys. Scoliosis was screened and diagnosed according to the Screening for Abnormal Spinal Curvature in Children and Adolescents. Influencing factors for scoliosis among primary and middle school students were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 823 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 768 effective questionnaires were recovered, with an effective response rate of 96.98%. There were 537 primary school students, 1 000 junior high school students and 231 senior high school students, with an average age of (13.40±1.92) years. There were 948 male students (53.62%) and 820 female students (46.38%). A total of 131 cases of scoliosis were screened positive, with a positive rate of 7.41%. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that gender (female, OR=1.759, 95%CI: 1.135-2.727), body mass index (OR=0.593, 95%CI: 0.538-0.654), sleeping position (side lying, OR=0.598, 95%CI: 0.377-0.951; prone lying, OR=2.336, 95%CI: 1.201-4.545), frequency of reading in bed (often, OR=2.099, 95%CI: 1.201-3.670), way of carrying backpack (shoulders, OR=0.580, 95%CI: 0.370-0.908), and exercise level (OR=0.428, 95%CI: 0.296-0.618) were influencing factors of scoliosis among primary and middle school students. Conclusion The positive rate of scoliosis screening among primary and middle school students in Chuzhou City was 7.41%, which was influenced by gender, age, body mass index, sleeping posture, reading in bed, way of carrying backpack and exercise level.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of satisfaction with graduate education among recent medical graduates in China, and analyze the differences between different populations, and to propose countermeasures and suggestions.Methods:From June to July 2023, a self-made questionnaire was used to survey 16 903 medical graduates who had recently earned a post-graduate degree from 78 institutions about their satisfaction with curriculum sessions, practical sessions, research training, tutoring, and institutional management. The degrees of satisfaction with education among different populations were compared through the t test and analysis of variance with the use of SPSS 26.0. Results:The scores of satisfaction of the graduates with tutoring, curriculum sessions, practical sessions, institutional management, and research training were 4.44, 4.03, 4.02, 3.90, and 3.82, respectively. Satisfaction scores for individual dimensions were significantly higher for males, doctors, non-transfers, comprehensive universities, non-agricultural household registration, moderate-to-high annual household income per capita, parents with high educational levels, and parents with mid- or senior-level occupations ( P<0.05). Conclusions:There is room for improvement in students' satisfaction with medical graduate education. To improve the quality of medical graduate education, attention should be paid to key populations, education policies, school management, and tutoring to provide appropriate education for different students.

Objective:To develop the Suicide Outcomes Scale for Undergraduates with Suicidal Ideation(SO-SUSI)and test its validity and reliability.Methods:Based on semi-structured interview,literature review and expert discussion,main aspects and indicator system were defined.The initial version of SOSUSI was formed,and items were either modified from existing scales targeting the relevant constructs,or compiled according to previous inter-view results.A total of 607 undergraduates with suicidal ideation were enrolled.The sample was randomly divided in half,one half(n=317)was used for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis,and another half(n=290)for confirmatory factor analysis.All data were used for reliability analysis.The Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS)and Suicidal Intent(SI)were used for criterion validity.Results:The SOSUSI included 39 items in 4 dimensions(nega-tive reinforcement of suicide,negative consequences of suicide,loss of suicide,and positive reinforcement of sui-cide)which explained 50.10％of the total variance.Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the four-factor struc-ture model fitted well(x2/df=3.27,CFI=0.92,TLI=0.91,IFI=0.92,SRMR=0.09).The scores of negative re-inforcement and positive reinforcement of suicide were positively correlated with the SDS and SI scores(ICC=0.15-0.33,Ps＜0.05),while the scores of negative consequences and loss of suicide were negatively correlated with the SI scores(ICC=-0.42--0.56,Ps＜0.05).The Cronbach's α coefficients of each dimension ranged from 0.79 to 0.91.Conclusion:The Suicide Outcomes Scale for Undergraduates with Suicidal Ideation(SOSUSI)has good validity and internal consistency reliability.